August 7, 2011

Summertime means that we always have people dropping by for a casual get-together. We love having friends and family over to our apartment - and there's nothing better than catching up over coffee. Since my husband loves his daily iced coffee pick-me-up, we always have a pitcher of cold brewed coffee ready to share.

This past weekend, Jeff's family and friends came to visit us in the city. While we waited out the sudden evening rain, I made Hazelnut Ice Coffee dessert drinks for everyone. Happily our guests enjoyed these sweet treats (and they perked everyone up!)

Through Foodbuzz's Tastemaker's program, we received 2 complimentary packages of Godiva coffee: Chocolate Truffle and Hazelnut Creme. Both smelled great, but I opted to use the Hazelnut Creme flavor to make both cold-brewed coffee and hazelnut coffee gelato.

To make the cold-brewed coffee concentrate, I followed this recipe. I keep the filtered concentrate ready on-hand to be served when company comes over. It's also used to make the coffee gelato.

Godiva Hazelnut Coffee Gelato

Ingredients

3 cups organic whole milk

4 large egg yolks

2/3 cup sugar

Pinch salt (brings out the sweetness)

1 cup cold-brewed Godiva coffee (room temperature)

Directions

1. Heat the whole milk until it boils.

2. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and salt until mixed.

3. Slowly add the hot milk to the egg mixture until combined. Add the cold-brewed coffee.

4. Pour the mixture back into the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 5 to 10 minutes, until it's thickened and the cream coats the back of the spoon.

5. Refrigerate mixture until completely chilled.

6. Pour the espresso cream into an ice-cream freezer and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions.

7. Spoon into a container, and allow to freeze for a few hours. Soften slightly before serving.

To make the iced coffee drinks, I added a couple scoops of the gelato into a chilled glass, followed by some coffee concentrate and skim milk. This creamy drink is perfect for dessert and easy to put together for any last-minute guests.